Retail Theft-Deterrent Device and Method of Making

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for deterring theft of an article has a dagger  10  including a dagger base and an elongated member extending therefrom and a dagger receptacle  60  affixable in close proximity to the article adapted for selectively, removably receiving the dagger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices and methods for deterring thefts ofarticles, and more particularly to devices and methods for deterringthefts of articles in a retail environment.

Manufactures and retailers desire to deter theft of articles sold in aretail environment to the greatest extent possible. Theft of relativelysmall but higher priced items is a particular problem. One known methodof theft deterrence involves encasing retail articles in an outercovering that is too cumbersome for a thief to conceal and remove fromthe premises. So-called “clam-shell” cases or “keepers” are examples ofsuch outer coverings. A problem with this method is that the encasingapparatus typically requires more shelf space than the article itself.Another problem with this method is that if the encasing devices areremovable, they have to be stored and handled for re-use. Thus, it canbe appreciated that it would be desirable to have a means for deterringtheft of articles in a retail environment, which means does notsubstantially increase the amount of space required to display thearticle. It can also be appreciated that it would be desirable to have ameans for deterring theft of articles in a retail environment, whichmeans is not in and of itself cumbersome to store and handle.

Another method of theft deterrence is to simply display the articles ina locked case. A drawback to this approach is that an employee must beavailable to give access to the article—unlocking the case, handling thearticle, and then relocking the case. A drawback to this method ofdeterrence is the need for an employee to provide access, thusincreasing operating expenses for the business. A further drawback isthat customers are often dissuaded from a purchase of this naturebecause of the time and effort in obtaining help from a store employeeto view the article. Thus, it can be appreciated that it would bedesirable to have a means for deterring theft of articles that does notinhibit customers' access to the articles.

Manufactures and retailers desire to deter theft of multiples of anarticle in a single event in particular. So-called “shelf sweep” is aparticular type of multiple-article theft that manufactures andretailers desire to deter. In shelf sweep, a thief engulfs a quantity ofarticles on a store shelf or similar display in a single motion, such asby sweeping his or her arm across a shelf, thereby sweeping the articlesinto a bag or similar container. In this type of theft, the thief maynot be concerned about being detected but plans to rapidly escape.Articles taken in this manner are often sold through retail channelssuch as a regular retail outlet, flea markets and merchandisingwebsites. Thus, it can be appreciated that it would be desirable to havea means for deterring theft of articles in a retail environment, whichmeans can readily identify an article as being stolen.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the present inventionprovides a base attachable to an article to be sold. The base is adaptedto receive a spear, or dagger, that can only be removed by a specialapparatus. Such a spear/dagger is disclosed in applicant's co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/416,767, which application is herebyincorporated by reference. The spear/dagger is configured and colored tobe easily and readily perceived.

In accordance with another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the baseis adapted for adherence to the bottom of an article or article package.

In accordance with a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, thebase is adapted to be secured within an article or packaging for thearticle.

In accordance with still an additional aspect of the preferredembodiment, the base is adapted to be adhered to more than one face ofthe article or packaging for the article.

In accordance with a second, broader, preferred embodiment of theinvention, a receptacle for selectively, removably receiving a dagger isaffixable to either an article or the primary packaging for an article.

Other advantages and objects of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, the accompanying drawings, and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric illustration of an article package having of atheft-deterrent device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric illustration from a view point looking upward atthe bottom of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration from a view point looking forwardfrom the rear of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of a second preferred embodiment ofthe invention showing an article package having a theft-deterrentdevice;

FIG. 5 is an isometric illustration from a view point looking rearwardfrom the front of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an isometric illustration of a third preferred embodiment ofthe invention showing an article package having a theft-deterrentdevice;

FIG. 7 is an isometric illustration from a view point looking forwardfrom the rear of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.6, with a side wall of the article package removed to reveal theinterior;

FIG. 8 is an isometric illustration from a view point looking upward atthe bottom of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an isometric illustration from a view point from one side ofthe preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6, with aportion of the side wall removed revealing the interior of the articlepackage and all of the components of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional illustration of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is an isometric illustration of an article package having of atheft-deterrent device in accordance with a second preferred embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of the invention of FIG. 11 showinga cross-section of the receptacle and dagger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denotethe same or like features of the invention.

Referring first to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated an article package 1with theft-deterrent device in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe invention. A base 20 and the article package 1 are in affixedrelationship with respect to one another. A dagger, or spear, 10 isshown protruding upwardly from the base 20 through the top of thepackage 1. The same elements are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In addition,there can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the manner in which the base of thedagger/spear 10 is received by the seating and locking mechanism 22 ofthe base 20.

Referring now simultaneously to FIGS. 4 and 5, therein can be seen asecond preferred embodiment wherein the base 30 has an orthogonalsupport member 34. Both the base 30 and support member 34 are disposedin flat-face relation with respect to two sides, respectively, of thearticle package 2. In this embodiment, the spear/dagger 10 extendsupwardly from the base 30 seating and locking mechanism 32 throughsupport member 34 and ultimately exteriorly of the article package 2.

Referring now simultaneously to FIGS. 6, 7,8 and 9, therein isillustrated a third preferred embodiment of the invention wherein a base40 is encased within the article package 3 and the dagger/spear 10 isinserted through an opening in the bottom of the article package 3 toseat within the seating receptacle 42 base and extend upwardly throughthe top region of the package 3.

The dagger/spear 10 component of the invention is the same in all of theembodiments illustrated. The explanation of the operation of the lockingmechanism is application to each preferred embodiment. The dagger/spear10 seats and locks within each base's 20, 30, 40 seating and lockingmechanism 22, 32, 42. The dagger/spear 10 interacts in the same mannerwith each seating and locking mechanism 22, 32, 42 as illustrated inFIG. 10 and described in more detail below. In addition, the operationof the dagger/spear 10 and seating and locking mechanism and unlockingthereof is described in applicant's co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/416,767, which application is hereby incorporated byreference.

Referring now to FIG. 10, in a cross-sectional view taken along line A-Aof FIG. 2, therein can be seen the base 12 of the dagger/spear 10engaged by the seating and locking mechanism 22 of the base 20. Thedagger/spear base 12 is locked through the interaction of spring 16 ofthe dagger/spear 10 and detent 24 of the base 20. The elongatedprojection 14 of the dagger/spear 10 is shown extending upwardly andsandwiched (in the embodiment shown) between outer 5 and inner 4 wallsof the article package 1.

Once seated and locked in placed, the dagger/spear can be removed bycausing the spring 16 to deflect away from the detent 24 together withretraction of the dagger/spear 10 from the base 20. Deflection of thespring 16 can be achieved by direct mechanical means such as insertionof a tool or by means of application of a magnetic filed as described inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/416,767.

The dagger/spear is made in a length and color suitable to be readilydetected by a purchaser or other observer. The spear/dagger may also beimprinted with indicia indicating that its presence in the package isindicative of unlawful sale thereof. Because the base in each embodimentis made an integral part of the package, without use of an authorizedremoval device, the dagger/spear would typically have to be removed byremoval of the base. Removal of the base in turn defaces the package.Because a defaced package is less salable, the invention operates as adeterrent to theft.

An electronic monitoring device such as a transponder or electronicarticle surveillance mechanism can be incorporated into the invention byplacement of such mechanism upon or within the dagger/spear 10 or thebase.

The dagger/spear 10 may contain an aperture for hanging the articlepackage on a hook.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, therein are shown an article packagehaving of a theft-deterrent device in accordance with a second, morebroad, preferred embodiment of the invention. The same dagger/spear 10having a dagger base and cooperating locking mechanism as describedabove is used. However, the dagger 10 is received by a dagger receptacle60 rather than a base. The receptacle 60 contains the cooperatingelements for selectively locking and releasing the dagger base asdescribed above. The receptacle 60 is actually a smaller, simplerversion of the bases 20, 30, 40 described above but the term receptacleis applicable to all of the receiving components. However, thereceptacle 60 of the second preferred embodiment can be affixed inextremely close proximity to an article to be sold, that is, it can beaffixed either directly to an article or to primary packaging 7 for anarticle. Thus it can be seen that the second preferred embodimentminimizes the space needed for the addition of the security device todeter theft of the article.

The invention enables products to be made accessible to customers whilecontaining theft-deterrent features that are non-cumbersome and easilyremovable by lawful means only.

Modifications may be made in the foregoing without departing from thescope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The figures forming a part of this specification convey the best modefor carrying out the invention known to the inventor at the time offiling the patent application. The figures are further presented toenable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Afterlearning of the details of the invention as presented herein, includingthe figures, it is likely that alternative embodiments could be devisedaccording to the invention, which have a much different appearance thanthe embodiments disclosed in the accompanying figures. The figuresforming a part of the specification convey utilitarian aspects of theinvention and the preferred embodiments, and also include ornamentalfeatures which are not necessary to the utilization of the invention.

1. A mechanism for deterring theft of an article, the mechanismcomprising: a dagger including a dagger base and an elongated memberextending therefrom; and a dagger receptacle affixable in closeproximity to the article adapted for selectively, removably receivingthe dagger.
 2. The invention of claim 1, wherein the dagger receptacleis affixable directly to the article.
 3. The invention of claim 1,wherein the dagger receptacle is affixable to primary packaging for thearticle.
 4. A package including at least one surface, the packagecomprising: a dagger including a dagger base and an elongated memberextending therefrom; and a dagger receptacle affixed to the at least onesurface adapted for selectively, removably receiving the dagger.
 5. Thepackage of claim 4, wherein the at least one surface lies within aninterior of the package.